I posted this over on the rousing discussion in the injuries-treatment section over a heated debate about helmet caused injuries. I thought it might be better served here. What do you think?

We climb to "stare death in the face and scream our rage at the inevitability of it", mountaineers started wearing them, because some mountaineers where overly educated physics instructors and conservative by nature.

Sport climbers started wearing them because they were not as competent as the 'Trad climbers' of the day got scarred easily and thought 'they could be hurt'. Someone told them they could have 'fun' without committing to the challenge they had undertaken

Now, your mothers have taken over their job. When you were little it started with female hysteria her prodigy would not survive to procreate and spread her genes. So you were required to wear your helmets and safety protection for bicycles, skateboards, and roller skates.

Men, being men, did not take these precautions, for us it is about the activity (who cares if you are going to die, it is living an empty life that is the tragedy). Like sperm, that gets one shot, we take ours and the adrenalin rush that goes with it. That is why old climbers don't exist; we all embraced our angst and our activity as divine sport. What kind of man (climber) would give up that?

What are you talking about? Sometimes it is appropriate to wear a helmet (loose rock, etc...) sometimes it is not (sport climbing, single pitch trad, etc...). I may only have one shot at life, but I also do not want to get hit on the head with a rock. I am just not into that.

i climb for the community within. climbers are some of the most relaxed and cool people i have ever met. with the exception of some. i also climb because it make life interesting and it is a good convo starter at the bar.

for me...it goes hand in hand with being outdoors. Camping, hiking, climbing, fishing, swimming...all outdoor activities I enjoy partaking in and can usually do most if not all in the same general area, and you can't beat the cool scars you get!